Understanding Notary Public and Commissioner for Oaths Services in Ireland
Whether you are dealing with property abroad, immigration applications, company documentation, or sworn legal paperwork, you may be asked to have documents witnessed, certified, notarised, or sworn before a legal professional. Two services commonly requested are Notary Public services and Commissioner for Oaths services. While they are sometimes confused, they serve different purposes. This guide explains the difference and outlines how we can assist. What is a Commissioner for Oaths? A Commissioner for Oaths is authorised to: These services are commonly required for: When attending an appointment, you will generally need: It is important that documents are not signed in advance unless specifically advised to do so. What is a Notary Public? A Notary Public is a qualified legal professional authorised to certify, authenticate, and notarise documents for use internationally. Notarial services are commonly required where Irish documents are being used overseas or where foreign authorities require formal verification of identity, signatures, or legal documents. Examples include: A notary may also arrange for documents to be apostilled or legalised where required for use in particular countries. What is the Difference? Commissioner for Oaths Notary Public Typically for Irish legal use Typically for international use Witnesses affidavits and declarations Authenticates documents and signatures Used in court and legal proceedings Used by foreign authorities and institutions Limited certification powers Internationally recognised authority Preparing for Your Appointment To ensure your appointment proceeds smoothly, please bring: Some documents may also require: Required paperwork typically includes: Our Services We provide efficient and professional: Appointments can be arranged at short notice where possible. If you require assistance or are unsure which service you need, please contact our office and we would be happy to guide you through the process.
Should I make a claim?
Some things to consider before pursuing legal action Something’s happened, maybe you’ve slipped and fallen in a public place, had a coffee spilt on you on an airplane, or had a contract fall through? Whatever it is, you’re considering bringing a legal claim against the person/company/public authority, but aren’t sure. Firstly, we hope you’re doing ok. No matter how bad the injury/breach is, sometimes it’s the mental impact that lasts the longest. Be sure to take care of yourself in what can be a stressful or challenging time. Some things to consider: 1. Time Depending on the case, the time length varies. However, if you do decide to pursue legal action be aware that there’s a good chance that it will go on for much longer than you initially may have thought. 2. Cost Many solicitors offer no-win no-fee cases for litigation. This means that they won’t charge a professional fee unless you win but this does mean that if you lose, you will have to pay for outlay (costs), which the solicitor may have initially paid for, such as medical reports. *In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement*, which is beneficial to litigants. It means that say you won €15,000 in a final settlement, the solicitor wouldn’t be able to charge 1%, for example. Weigh up the risks of winning and losing, would they justify the costs that youwill inevitably accrue? 3. Justice For some clients, they are determined to see their claim through to the end to ensure that it won’t happen to others or to raise awareness. This can be a very compelling factor for people on deciding to pursue legal action. For example, a litigant in a road traffic accident may want to pursue the local authority to ensure road signs get put up so that people will slow down and there will, hopefully, not be another road traffic accident. 4. The Process It is important to remember that the vast majority of claims brought by individuals in Ireland are settled out of court. Of course, there is always a risk attached to claims but court is not an inevitable conclusion, so there’s no need to fear it. We hope this offered some guidance on whether or not you’re going to pursue your claim, but if you have any further questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01 485 4563. *In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.*